Can opener



April 9 A. w. MILLER 2,593,329

Filed Nov. 4-, 1947 Arf/zur w. m/ze/ QAJ &zgn%

Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to can openers-of the well-known hand oscillated type, and has for its principal object, the provision of a can opener which is simpler in construction, cheaper to manufacture, and generally more satisfactory in performance than most can openers of this type heretofore available. 7

One of the principal difficulties experienced in the operation of can openers of this type heretofore has been that the can opener is not suiiiciently positively and accurately guided along the top bead on the can to cut with equal facility all the way around, and, in some cases, the can opener actually becomes disengaged from the bead entirely. Another objection with many designs of can openers is that they leave a jagged edge, and that is more apt to lead to serious injuries to the operator. The can opener of my invention has been designed with a view principally to eliminating both of these serious objections and otherwise generally improving the design and construction to secure easier and better operation.

Another object is to widen the range of usefulness of the can opener by incorporating a hook to remove caps from bottles, and also a bayonet with which to remove the sheared disc from the food can, and a tongue to remove caps from vacuum jars.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a side view of a can opener made in accordance with my invention, shown applied to the top bead on a can in readiness to start the opening operation, the can opener being shown in full lines before the top is pierced, and in dotted lines following the piercing operation;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the can opener removed from the can; 1

Fig. 3 is a front view showing the can opener in use and illustrating how it is securely affixed to and guided on the bead, thesectional part of this view being in section on the line 3--3 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 through the front end portion of the can opener showing it before application to the can. which is indicated in dot and dash lines below the section, and

Fig. 5 is a similar section showing the relationship of the parts when the can opener is applied to the can, this section being taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

The present can opener is made of sheet steel in three main parts, namely, two stampings. 6 and 1, and a handle or operating lever 8 made from a strip of sheet metal and bent into a loop as indicated at 9, the two ends of the strip receiving therebetween an extension I0 of the main body stamping 6 and being spot-welded thereto, as indicated at II. The part 6 is preferably of heavier gauge than part I because it should be quite stiif and withstand bending stresses. The stamping 1 forms the more or less flexible shearing blade for the can opener and is, of course, suitably hardened. It is riveted to the main body stamping 6, as indicated at l2, a spacer strip I 3 being interposed between the riveted upper end portions of the stampings so as to hold the main body portion of blade I in the desired spaced and substantially parallel relationship to the body 6. The blade 1 has a piercing point l4 formed on the rear end behind an arcuate bottom cutting edge I5. The front end [6 is in the form of a downwardly di rected V-prong or jaw. There are front and rear ears I! and I8 bent laterally from the body 6, and the blade 1 is guided for sidewise flexing between these ears and held thereby against rotation about the rivet l2 as a center. A. notch I9 is provided in the lower end of the front ear I! through which the jaw portion I6 of the blade 7 projects, and this notch limits the lateral deflection of the jaw portion iii of the blade, as clearly appears in Fig. 5. In like manner, a notch 20 in the lower end of the rear ear l8 serves to limit lateral deflection of the rear portion 2! of the blade. The body 6 is formed to provide another V-prong or jaw 22 on its front end below the jaw l6 and directed upwardly toward it as clearly appears in Fig. 1, the jaw 22 being adjacent a throat or cut away portion 23 on the front of the body portion 6, and the whole jaw portion 22 being bent inwardly relative to the rest of the body 6 toward and substantially into the vertical plane of jaw l6, as appears in Figs. 2 and 4. This jaw portion 22 is arranged to slide and fulcrum on the edge 25 of the bead 26 on can 24. The body 6 is arched enough lengthwise, as shown at 21 in Figs. 4 and 5, to remain clear of the side of the can while the jaw 22 isin engagement with edge 25. Blade 1 is also bowed transversely, as appears at 28 in Figs. 4 and 5, to more or less follow the curvature of the bead 26, and the blade is adapted to flex slightly laterally to permit locating its front and rear ends I6 and Hi to be placed on the inner side of the bead 26 while the jaw 22, which, as stated before, is normally in the same plane with jaw I6, is on the outside of the bead below its edge 25. This flexing of the blade sets up enough spring tension between body 6 and blade I to insure keeping the jaw 22 pressed tightly against the side of the can under the edge 25 of the bead so that it will not be apt to ride off the bead.

The spacing of the jaws I6 and 22 is such that the bead 26 on the can can easily be entered edgewise therbetween so as to position the jaw IS on the cutting edge 15 of the blade 1.

the inner side of the bead and the jaw 22 on the outer side of the can just below the bead in engagement with the bottom edge 25 thereof. This alone necessitates some sidewise flexing f the blade I, relative to body '6, as indicated in Fig.5, but the rear end portion 2| is still on the outer side of the bead 26; The handle 8 must therefore be raised slightly and swung toward the can so as to move the pointedrear end M of the blade over the bead 26 and into position within the circle defined by the bead, whereupon the pointed rear end M of the blade can be swung downwardly into engagement with the can top 29, thus obtaining the spring tensioning of the device mentioned before and clamping securely onto the bead 26, and also positioning the can opener as a whole in proper operative relationship to the can for the opening operation. The fact that the jaw I6 is an integral extension of the blade 7 is important, not only fromthe standpoint of simpler and cheaper construction, but also because it insures good correlation of the operation of the blade with the guiding function of the jaw 16, the blade being self-guided, sorto speak, and pressed firmly against the bead 26 throughout the can opening operation. The fact that the rear portion 2! of the blade is positively limited in its lateral flexing relative to the body 6 at-26, and the front portion I6 is similarly limited at I5, is also important in keeping the handle 8 in the right plane relative to the head end of the can opener, and keeping the jaw '22 in contact with the edge 25 of the bead on the can, so that the can opener will not be apt to ride off the bead on the can at some point in the operation of opening the can.

In the operation of the can opener, downward pressure is app-lied on the handle 8 to pierce the top 29 after the can opener has been properly positioned on the bead 22 as previously described. The point it pierces the top 29 and a cut is made at the same time forwardly from the handle by Jaw 22 acts as the fulcrum for the handle. After this initial cut, the can opener is oscillated, that is, it is slid forward on the bead after each cut and at the same time raised preparatory to the next downward thrust on the handle, in which a further cut is made in the forward direction. The cutting is done this way all around the can, each out being substantially the full length of the blades cutting edge I5. The cut edge next to the bead is ironed down smoothly against the inside of the can by the blade I, and there is no jagged edge left on the top 29 which might result in a serious injury to the operator.

In passing, it will be noticed that I have provided a strong hook 36 as an integral part of extension Ill of the body 6. This is out of the way in a can opening operation but useful otherwise in removing caps from bottles. Also, attention is called to the bayonet 3! provided on the front lower'end of body 6 as an integral downward and forward extension of jaw '22. is also out of the way in a can opening operation but very useful after such an operation if the out can top 29 happens to require lifting out. It is also useful as a tongue to remove caps from vacuum jars. The flexibility and resilience of blade I is an advantage in not interfering with the placement and working tongue 3! on the jar under the vacuum cap to be removed. The prong 32 on the lower edge is useful in the same two ways as tongue 3|, and occasionally also as a screw driver bit when a screw on some utensil or device around the kitchen needs tightening.

This bayonet It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations;

I claim:

1. A can opener comprising a lever having a lower jaw portion on one end thereof adapted slidably to engage the bottom edge of the bead on the top of a can to act as a guide and also a fulcrum for the lever, a downwardly directed cutting blade carried on the jaw end of said lever and having an upper jaw on its front portion spaced above the aforesaid lower jaw adapted slidably to engage the top of the can on the inner side of the bead to act as a guide, a piercing point being provided on the rear portion of said blade, said jaws being substantially in coplanar relation, said blade being of flexible resilient material and flexible laterally relative to said lever in so far as its lower portion which includes said upper jaw and piercing point is concerned, and means on said lever for positively limiting the flexing of said blade laterally relative to said lever.

2. A can opener comprising a lever having a lower jaw portion on one end thereof adapted slidably to engage the bottom edge of the bead on the top of a can to act as a guide and also a fulcrum for the lever, and a downwardly directed cutting blade carried on the jaw end of said lever and having an upper jaw on its front portion spacedabove the aforesaid lower jaw adapted slidably to engage the top of the can on the inner side of the bed to act as a guide, a piercing point being provided on the rear portion of said blade, the jaw end of said lever being curved longitudinally to accommodate the side of the can, and the blade being likewise curved in the same direction so that the cutting action closely follows the curvature of the bead on the can.

3. A can opener comprising an elongated handle, a sheet metal body member carried on .one end thereof, said body member having front end rear ears bent laterally therefrom in the.

same direction and having a lower jaw portion provided on its front end spaced below the front ear adapted slidably to engage the bottom edge of the bead on the top of a can to act as a guide and also a fulcrum for the handle, the bottom edges of said ears each having a notch provided therein and a sheet metal cutting blade member disposed in spaced relation to said body member between the ears. and having forward and rearward extensions projecting through said notches with freedom to move laterally to a limited extent, means for securing the upper end portions of said blade and body members together in fixed spaced relationship, the blade member being of flexible resilient material and being free to flex laterally relative to said body member, said blade member having on its lower end a cutting edge above the lower jaw and also an upper jaw on its front portion spaced above the aforesaid lower jaw adapted slidably to engage the top of the can on the inner side of the bead to act as a guide, a piercing. point being provided on the rear portion of said blade.

4. In a can opener ofthe characterdescribed,

a body member formed to provide a lower guide prong for fulcrum and slidable guiding engagemerit on the lower edge of the bead on a can, and a blade for piercing through and cutting the top of the can carried on the body member and having as an integral front end portion a laterally yieldable upper guide prong for slidable guiding engagement on top of the can and along the inner side of the bead.

5. In a can opener of the character described, a body member formed to provide a lower guide prong for fulcrum and slidable guiding engagement on the lower edge of the bead on a can, a blade for piercing through and cutting the top of the can carried on the body member and having as an integral front end portion an upper guide prong for slidable guiding engagement on top of the can along the inner side of the head, said blade and body member being supported in fixed spaced substantially parallel relation but having their jaw portions disposed substantially in coplanar relation and said blade being of flexible resilient material and flexible laterally relative to the body member to a small extent so as to permit disposition of the jaw portions in spaced vertical planes when operatively engaged on the beaded upper end of a can, the blade being resilient so as to set up spring tension between the blade and body member when the blade is flexed as described.

6. In a can opener of the character described, a body member formed to provide a lower guide prong for fulcrum and slidable guiding engagement on the lower edge of the bead on a can, a blade for piercing through and cutting the top of the can carried on the body member and having as an integral front end portion an upper guide prong for slidable guiding engagement on top of the can along the inner side of the bead, said blade and body member being supported in fixed spaced substantially parallel relation but having their jaw portions disposed substantially in coplanar relation and said blade being of flexible resilient material and flexible laterally relative to the body member to a small extent so as to permit disposition of the jaw portions in spaced vertical planes when operatively engaged on the beaded upper end of a can, the blade being resilient so as to set up spring tension between the blade and body member when the blade is flexed as described, and a stop limiting the lateral deflection of the blade relative to the body member.

7. In a can opener of the character described,

a body member formed to provide a lower guide prong for fulcrum and slidable guiding engagement on the lower edge of the bead on a can, a blade for piercing through and cutting the top of the can carried on the body member and having as an integral front end portion an upper guide prong for slidable guiding engagement on top of the can along the inner side of the bead, said blade and body member being supported in fixed spaced substantially parallel relation but having their jaw portions disposed substantially in coplanar relation and said blade being of flexible resilient material and flexible laterally relative to the body member to a small extent so as to permit disposition of the jaw portions in spaced vertical planes when operatively engaged on the beaded upper end of a can, the blade being resilient so as to set up spring tension between the blade and body member when the blade is flexed as described, the body member being curved to accommodate the curvature of the side of the can, and the blade being curved in the same direction so that the cutting action closely follows the bead on the can.

8. A can opener comprising a sheet metal body member carried on one end of an elongated tions of said blade and body members together in fixed spaced relationship, the blade member being held against turning about said single fastener as a center by sliding contact with the ears, the blade member being of flexible resilient material and adapted to flex laterally relative to said body member, said blade member having on its lower end a cutting edge above the lower jaw and also an upper jaw on its front portion spaced above the aforesaid lower jaw adapted slidably to engage the top of the can on the inner side of the bead to act as a guide, a piercing point being provided on the rear portion of said blade.

9. A can opener comprising a lever having at one end a lower jaw for engagement with and beneath the lower edge of the end bead of a can to provide a fulcrum for the lever, a cutter carried by said lever, and an upper jaw adjacent said lower jaw for engagement with the inner face of said bead to normally restrain said lower jaw against withdrawal from beneath said bead, said upper jaw being resiliently supported on said lever and laterally yieldable to permit entry of said lower jaw beneath said bead.

10. A can opener comprising a lever having at one end a lower jaw for engagement with and beneath the lower edge of the end bead of a can to provide a fulcrum for the lever, and a resilient cutter blade on said lever having a depending cutting edge portion urged against the inner face of said bead during the cutting action, the forward portion of said blade being disposed adjacent said jaw and positioned to react on said inner face of said bead in a manner to restrain said jaw against withdrawl from beneath said bead, said forward portion being laterally yieldable to permit entry of said jaw beneath said bead.

11. A can opener comprising a lever shaped to contact the side of a can at peripherally spaced points thereon, said lever having a jaw for engag'ement with and beneath the lower edge of the end bead of a can at one of said points of contact, and a cutter blade carried by said lever and coacting with the inner face of said bead to yieldably retain said jaw against withdrawal from beneath said bead, said cutter blade having a depending cutting edge terminating in a piercing point disposed adjacent the other of said points of contact between said lever and can.

ARTHUR W. MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

